Cost of Living: St. Louis, MO vs Santa Clarita, CA (2026)

St. Louis

Missouri
66
VS

Santa Clarita

California
197

St. Louis is 66% cheaper than Santa Clarita.

$978/mo ↓ 61%
Median Rent
$2,486/mo ↑ 154%
$55,279/yr ↓ 54%
Median Income
$119,926/yr ↑ 117%
$185,100 ↓ 74%
Home Value
$721,000 ↑ 290%
$1,013/mo ↓ 62%
Owner Costs
$2,649/mo ↑ 162%
293,109
Population
229,021

Tax Comparison

4.95%
Income Tax
13.3%
4.225%
State Sales Tax
7.25%
0.93%
Property Tax
0.71%

Affordability

21.2%
rent-to-income
Affordability
24.9%
rent-to-income

Detailed Comparison

When comparing St. Louis, MO and Santa Clarita, CA, the overall cost of living indices are 66 and 197 respectively (national median = 100). Rent is $1,508/month cheaper in St. Louis, saving renters about $18,096/year.

Median household income is $64,647/year higher in Santa Clarita. Home values also differ significantly — the median in St. Louis is $185,100 compared to $721,000 in Santa Clarita.

Missouri has a lower income tax rate, making St. Louis slightly more tax-friendly.

Frequently Asked Questions

St. Louis vs Santa Clarita — common questions

Is St. Louis or Santa Clarita cheaper to live in?
Based on our cost index, St. Louis is cheaper to live in with an index of 66 compared to 197 (US average = 100).
What is the rent difference between St. Louis and Santa Clarita?
Median rent in St. Louis is $978/month and in Santa Clarita it's $2,486/month — a difference of $1,508/month.
Which city has higher income, St. Louis or Santa Clarita?
Median household income is $55,279 in St. Louis and $119,926 in Santa Clarita. Median household income is $64,647/year higher in Santa Clarita.
How do taxes compare between Missouri and California?
Missouri has 4.95% income tax, 4.225% sales tax, and 0.93% property tax. California has 13.3% income tax, 7.25% sales tax, and 0.71% property tax.
Should I move to St. Louis or Santa Clarita?
It depends on your priorities. St. Louis has a cost index of 66 with median rent of $978/mo, while Santa Clarita has a cost index of 197 with rent of $2,486/mo. Consider income potential, tax burden, and lifestyle preferences alongside raw cost data.
View St. Louis details → View Santa Clarita details →

More Comparisons

Other cost of living comparisons for St. Louis and Santa Clarita

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